Chapter 5

He kissed the tip of my nose and rested his forehead against mine.

Alexander: You must be tired, my dear. Come on, I'll take you to bed... to sleep.

I couldn't help but laugh, and this time I didn't hold him back. He looked at me tenderly and lifted me into his arms.

Angel: Why won't you let me walk?

Alexander: Hmm, you're barefoot, darling. Tomorrow, I'll find you some clothes and boots, but for now, off to bed.

I wasn't sure I'd be able to sleep in the same bed as him, but I have to admit I slept like a baby. I woke up in the morning in an empty bed. Xander must have gotten up before me. He'd promised to find me some clothes. I looked at the desk next to the bed and saw a note. My heart sank; I couldn't read. I took the note anyway and smiled when I saw it. There was nothing written on it, just a drawing of me eating from a heart. Goodness, that man thinks of everything. I sat on the edge of the bed and saw the clothes he'd laid out on the bedroom chair. I got dressed, amazed to see how perfectly they fit. The corduroy pants were stretchy and warm, and the soft wool sweater was pure bliss. Then I slipped on the soft leather boots and got up.

I left the bedroom and headed toward the kitchen, but a sound coming from an adjoining room made me stop. Two people were talking. I recognized one of the voices; it was Xander, but the other was unknown, which was normal. I listened intently to what they were saying.

Man: So, Alpha Alex, how's it going?

Alpha, what?!? Xander's a knight, isn't he?

Alexander: It's only been a day, Beta Carl. We have to give her time.

Man: But Alpha, you know there's not much time left before...

Alexander: She still doesn't have her Wolf, Beta. I feel she's close, but she doesn't have it yet.

Man: But how...?

Alexander: They put her wolf to sleep. We have to wait until her system has completely eliminated the drug. But goodness, if you only knew what they did to her...

Man: Did she tell you about it?

Alexander: No, not really. It's more complicated. You know that bond some wolves have, a shared thought process when they're in their mortal form? Well, we have that.

Man: But you just told me she doesn’t have her wolf.

Alexander: Yes, I know, and it’s unsettling.

Man: But you still haven’t told me her name?

There was a silence, and I heard Xander’s voice in my head.

Alexander: You can come in if you want, Angel. I’ll introduce you.

I sighed. He’d sensed the connection. I reached for the doorknob and turned it. Xander was sitting with a tall, blond man with a full beard. His green eyes were staring intently at me, and that look made me uncomfortable.

Alexander: Carl, stop looking at her like that. You’re making her uncomfortable.

The man in question lowered his eyes and mumbled an apology. Xander stood up and opened his arms. I quickly snuggled up to him, seeking his warmth. He leaned towards me and kissed the tip of my nose.

Alexander: Hello my angel, this is Carl, my Beta.

Angel: Beta? But you're a knight, aren't you?

 I knew he'd heard me, but perhaps he didn't dare answer me telepathically since I'd asked him the day before to give me some time. But I could see he was hesitating to answer me in front of his advisor.

Angel: It's okay, you can talk to me in my head.

Alexander: I'm not a knight, Angel, it's just a cover.

Angel: A cover?

Alexander: Yes, I'm the heir to the throne, Prince Alpha.

Angel: What?

Alexander: I'm the future king, my angel, and you are my queen.

Angel: I'm going to faint.

Carl: Hey you two, is it possible for me to join your conversation?

I looked at the man and sighed.

Angel: Sorry, Carl? Is that right?

Carl: Yes, and you’re Alexander’s partner, but he still hasn’t told me your name.

Xander pulled me closer.

Alexander: You see, my friend, that’s part of the problem. They haven’t given her a name.”

Carl: But… what are you going to do? You know you have to call her by her name at the ceremony, otherwise all is lost!

I looked at Xander, perplexed.

Alexander: Carl, you’re going too fast. She’s only been here four days, but she only woke up yesterday. She doesn’t know anything yet, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s still a year to go before the fateful date. So please, give us some space.

I saw the man stiffen.

Carl: Very well, Your Highness.

Then, without another word, he left the room. But before he left, Alexander asked him to keep our connection a secret for the time being.

I waited for Xander to speak.

Alexander: Carl's right. I wish I could have protected you from this, but damn it, he's right.

Angel: What's wrong, Xander?

 He ran his hands through his hair and looked at me with a sigh.

Alexander: You see, my angel, on your twenty-first birthday, if we don't know your name, or if your wolf isn't there...

He sighed.

Alexander: ...there's a good chance you'll forget everything, especially me, and since we've only just met, if I don't know your name, I'll have no way of remembering you.

Angel: But you gave me a name, Angel...

Alexander: It's not the same, it's not your name.

Angel: It's the only one I have, it's my name...

Alexander: I know, my angel, it's all complicated, but on your twenty-first birthday, or thereabouts since we don't know the exact date, there will be a ceremony for the autumn equinox, and during this ceremony, you will have to take the Queen's oath.

Angel: What?... But... but... but...

Alexander: Everything will be alright, Angel. We have about a year to prepare you, and by then your wolf will be with us.